Trileptal and weight gain

I've been on trileptil for about 2 years now and am up to 600 MG and I'm 20 years old having all these side effects! But yet my mood is better then ever I'm doing great besides my frustrations with the side effects! I just need to weigh the pro and cons of if it's worth taking with all these sevre side effects!

I started Trileptal a little over a month ago. I was on Depakote for close to 13 years but I couldn't take the weight gain. I think I have more energy on the Tripletal. I also seem to be more optimistic. I also think I don't ruminate as much. Unfortunately, I get headaches every afternoon. I'm also forgetting things (e.g. the names of people I've known for years, places I've been to, word combinations). I know I need to be on a mood stablizer. I'm bipolar and have been hospitalized 3 times. I know I need to be on a mood stablizer. I just wish there was a medicine with fewer side effects.

I've been taking this now for quite awhile.. side effects numbness in lips tongue, headaches, forgetfullness, I know what i want to say but can't forget where i put things. I take this for my bipolar.. causes anxiety, weight gain, and recently after taking medication about 10 min. My sinuses and cheeks burn really bad cheeks get bright red.. It almost feels like when i sniff salt water for sinus swelling. It last for about an hour after taking med.

Grouchy, mean and I gained weight. The seizures were kept under control but i did have frequent headaches.